Yet another reason for your morning matcha pick me up to become a staple of your routine! Recent studies suggest that matcha may play a role in supporting brain health and warding off dementia. Heart health, social cognitive abilities, and potentially supporting a decreased risk of cancer are some pretty great benefits too. Don’t just take our word for it, let’s dive into the details. 

The green tea connection

In a recent NY Post article, it was highlighted that drinking three or more cups of green tea daily may help prevent dementia. The study found that older adults who regularly consumed green tea had fewer cerebral white matter lesions, a key indicator of cognitive decline and dementia.

But what about matcha? Since matcha is a concentrated form of green tea, containing the whole tea leaf ground into a fine powder, it packs an even more potent punch of the same (plus more!) antioxidants and beneficial compounds as regular green tea.

Matcha's brain boosting benefits

There are so many benefits to consuming matcha green tea in your daily life. No matter what you’re looking for in your health and wellness journey, matcha probably has it! But when it comes to brain boosting benefits, matcha truly stands out. 

Matcha contains high levels of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a powerful antioxidant known for its neuroprotective properties. EGCG is linked to reducing the production of amyloid-β, a protein associated with Alzheimer's disease.

Also, matcha is rich in L-theanine, an amino acid that promotes relaxation without drowsiness. The combination of L-theanine and caffeine in matcha has been found to improve attention and cognitive performance in both athletes and older adults.

The study out of Japan that was included in the NY Post article found that coffee does not show any evidence of reducing cognitive decline and risk of dementia. Plus, coffee will give you the jitters - ick!

Sleep and social cognition

Another really important part of health brain function is sleep and sleep quality.

A 12-month randomized controlled trial involving older adults with mild cognitive impairment found that daily consumption of matcha improved sleep quality and social cognition. Participants who consumed matcha showed better recognition of facial expressions and reported improved sleep.

The L-theanine in matcha has a calming effect that may actually help you get to sleep. If the caffeine in matcha still feels like too much for you at bedtime, try our decaf matcha - all the benefits with little to no caffeine! 

How much matcha should you drink?

While the NY Post article points to a “3 cups a day” guideline for green tea, matcha is more concentrated. Around 2-4 servings of matcha per day should give you all the benefits thanks to its higher levels of antioxidants like EGCG. 

But if you love having your matcha 3 times a day - we’re not stopping you! 

Incorporating matcha into your routine

Tried matcha tea straight and didn’t like it? No problem! Matcha can be enjoyed in so many delicious forms:

• Matcha lattes: Blend matcha powder with your choice of milk and sweetener for a creamy treat.
  

• Smoothies: Add a teaspoon of matcha to your morning smoothie for an antioxidant boost.

• Baking: Incorporate matcha into brownies, cookies, or pancakes for a unique flavor and health benefits.
  

The bottom line

Matcha is a pretty impressive ally when it comes to brain health. The research is still growing, but what we know so far is promising, especially when it comes to dementia prevention. Following the “3 cups a day” green tea suggestion doesn’t mean chugging hot tea all day. You can mix things up with matcha lattes, smoothies, or even a matcha cookie or two. A scoop a day may help keep brain fog away. 

As always, check in with your doctor if you have any health conditions or medications to consider. 

Disclaimer: These statements in this blog post have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The information provided here is for educational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice. It's essential to consult with a qualified healthcare professional before making any dietary or lifestyle changes.

Resources:

Kakutani, S., Watanabe, H., & Murayama, N. (2019). Green Tea Intake and Risks for Dementia, Alzheimer's Disease, Mild Cognitive Impairment, and Cognitive Impairment: A Systematic Review. Nutrients, 11(5), 1165. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu11051165

Shibata, S., Noguchi-Shinohara, M., Shima, A., Ozaki, T., Usui, Y., Taki, Y., Uchida, K., Honda, T., Hata, J., Ohara, T., Mikami, T., Maeda, T., Mimura, M., Nakashima, K., Iga, J. I., Takebayashi, M., Ninomiya, T., Ono, K., & Japan Prospective Studies Collaboration for Aging and Dementia (JPSC-AD) study group (2025). Green tea consumption and cerebral white matter lesions in community-dwelling older adults without dementia. NPJ science of food, 9(1), 2. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41538-024-00364-w

Uchida, K., Meno, K., Korenaga, T., Liu, S., Suzuki, H., Baba, Y., Tagata, C., Araki, Y., Tsunemi, S., Aso, K., Inagaki, S., Nakagawa, S., Kobayashi, M., Kakuma, T., Asada, T., Ota, M., Takihara, T., & Arai, T. (2024). Effect of matcha green tea on cognitive functions and sleep quality in older adults with cognitive decline: A randomized controlled study over 12 months. PloS one, 19(8), e0309287. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0309287